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E DITOR ’ S NO TE

REBUILDING TOURISM AFTER TERRORISM

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he words Terrorism and Tourism rhymes, so is the impact of each on the other. The impact of terrorism on the tourism sector is a major concern all over the world. Even as governments try to regain confidence and rebuild peace and natural environment in the affected destination, tourists seem to be more wary in choosing those destinations.

Interestingly, the trend is not noticeable when it comes to going to places which were affected by natural disasters.

While the direct costs of terrorist attacks are huge loss of life, destruction of property and bulk cancellations in hotel and flight bookings, the indirect costs include fall in trade, unemployment, decrease in tourist footfalls and an overall reduction in tourism activities.

Research shows that it takes approximately 13 months for a tourist destination to recover from a terrorist attack.

The other side of the coin is the fact that travellers don’t stop travelling but chose more secure destinations leading to revenue loss in the affected destination. Travellers rate security as the most important variable while choosing their holiday destination. The increase in foot falls in beach resorts located in Spain, Portugal and Greece and a decrease of visitors to Tunisia and Egypt following several terrorist attacks are fine examples of such instances. This shift in demand also has an impact on tourism companies and all other allied services related to the tourism industry.

The attack on Easter this year was the deadliest in Sri Lanka since the end of the decades-long

civil war that crippled the country’s economy.

The attack brings into focus various measures that the Sri Lankan Tourism Board needs to take in order to ensure the safety of tourists during terror attacks. It outlines strategic plans to rebuild tourism stakeholder confidence to ensure the recovery of the tourism industry that supports one in 10 families in Sri Lanka.

Soon after the tragic incident, with an objective to outline strategic frame work, several high-level cross industry working sessions, which includes both public and private sector stakeholders, have been conducted. The Sri Lankan Tourism Industry got underway with an action plan to minimise the financial impact of cancellations and to maintain and rebuild the country brand and manage the long term impact of the attack.

The outpouring of love, support and solidarity from around the globe made Sri Lanka resilient to restore the world’s faith in this beautiful island’s hospitality.

Even though the term crisis is very large and complex and can’t be defined globally, governments should establish crisis recovery strategies that would quickly help recover tourist destinations from a crisis situation as in the case of natural disasters. Managing media and adverse tourists’ reactions to the disaster will help in stemming the drop in footfalls to the destination.

Tourism India extends all support to Sri Lankan Tourism and our Industry partners on its path to a quick recovery.

Rajani A, Executive Editor

RNI NO. KERBIL/1998/7642

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Edited, Printed and Published by Ravisankar K V on behalf of TOURISM INDIA PUBLICATIONS PVT LTD, SEKT 52, Tourism House, Thamarakulam Lane, Sasthamangalam P O, Trivandrum, Kerala, India 695010 Printed at Orange Printers Pvt. Ltd, Gandari AMmankovil Road, Trivandrum – 695 001 for Arsha Offset Graphix, Janvilla Lane, Sasthamangalam P.O, Trivandrum 695010 Editor: Ravisankar K V

36 UNLOCK SUMMER WITH FUN AT LE MERIDIEN GOA, CALANGUTE

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GENTING CRUISE LINES RECEIVES SINGAPORE TOURISM AWARDS 2019

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THE NEWLY REFURBISHED OCEANIA INSIGNIA SAILS TO THE SHORES OF INDIA

10 - Sri Lanka tourism begins destination brand recovery process 12 - WTTC announced winners of 2019 tourism for tomorrow awards 14 - BIS for quality systems management in adventure tourism 16 - Indian tourism to reach 35 trillion by 2029 17 - Yes bank – FICCI report on inbound tourism 18 - Growth and sustainability needs equal importance 20 - Thomas cook india and mastercard partner for ‘priceless cities’ experience 21 - ITM Rishikesh 2019 for pilgrimage, wellness & spiritual tourism 22 - RCI grows its global network 26 - Amadeus set to transform the airport passenger experience 28 - Carvaan go: retro songs now on the go 29 - Grand hyatt kochi bolgatty hosts HYATT fair 2019 34 - IHG and samhi announces 10 holiday inn express hotels in india 43 - Indore Marriott hotel unveils diamante -crown of indore 51 - Neel motwani and vindhya tiwari celebrate in sharjah...

53 - Visit ski dubai during dubai summer surprises!

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NEWS / OUTBOUND

SRI LANKA TOURISM

BEGINS DESTINATION BRAND RECOVERY PROCESS TO REBUILD TOURISM STAKEHOLDER CONFIDENCE TO ENSURE THE VITAL RECOVERY OF THE TOURISM INDUSTRY.

T

he Sri Lanka Tourism industry stands united with the rest of the world against terrorism; and move forward with their enduring Sri Lankan resilience to restore the world’ s faith in the beautiful island and hospitality which is the heart of the Sri Lankan way of life.

One week on from the deadliest terror attacks perpetrated in the country since the end of the civil war Sri Lanka Tourism discusses measures taken to ensure the safety and security of tourists and outlines strategic plans to rebuild tourism stakeholder confidence to ensure the vital recovery of the tourism industry that supports one in 10 families in Sri Lanka. ‘”Sri Lankan’s are among

the most warm and nurturing people on earth, when guests arrive on our shore’s they become family’ said Kishu Gomes, Chairman Sri Lanka Tourism.

‘And when family is hurt the entire community comes together to protect, nurture, mourn and grieve and heal together…this is our way and it has been our way from the beginning of time.’ He continued ‘the promise of Sri Lanka is a promise of hope, of family, of deep awareness, of tolerance, of diversity, of sincere connection to humanity and nature and of generosity; we will live the promise of our motherland and we ask anyone who has ever visited us, relished our food, brewed our teas, cheered our cricket or just marveled at the beauty of a

Deserted Negombo Beach after the Easter bombing

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Tourism India May 2019

full moon to become ambassadors of kindness and compassion everywhere they go. We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, support and solidarity from people everywhere and look forward to welcoming the world back home to Sri Lanka’ Chairman Kishu Gomes explained that It is important to review emergency response protocol in the immediate aftermath of the attacks; Sri Lanka Tourism was focused on organizing the response in emergency care and assistance, providing access to clear and accurate information and working with all national and local law enforcement agencies and foreign missions to ensure the safety and security of tourists.

Addressing security issues is a prerequisite for the revival of tourism and we continue working closely with all relevant authorities to support all foreign nationals in the country.

Sri Lankan police and Tri forces are working tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of all tourists currently in Sri Lanka. This is absolutely our first priority’ said Gomes Several high-level cross industry working sessions that included both the public and private sector stakeholders have been conducted with the objective of outlining the strategic framework of the recovery strategy accompanied by a phased out action plan with the clear objective of minimizing the financial impact of cancellations and to maintain and rebuild the country brand and manage the long term impact of this tragic incident.

With one in every ten Sri Lankan families depending on tourism for their livelihood both directly and indirectly, Sri Lanka Tourism is focused on ensuring that the right groundwork is laid to drive an effective and efficient recovery for this critical industry.

‘We cannot allow ourselves to become paralyzed by fear, nearly half a million families across the island depend on us for their daily living; the impact on our economy must be mitigated. We are working to regain the confidence of global travelers and operators by demonstrating that Sri Lanka’s response to the incident is effective while reassuring future tourists that all appropriate steps are being taken by the Sri Lanka Government to prevent any future incidents and ensure the continued safety and security tourists within the country’said Gomes With one in every ten Sri Lankan families depending on tourism for their livelihood both directly and indirectly, Sri Lanka Tourism is focused on ensuring that the right

Mr. Kishu Gomes, Chairman Sri Lanka Tourism addressing the press conference at Dubai during Arabian Travel Mart

“SRI LANKAN’S ARE AMONG THE MOST WARM AND NURTURING PEOPLE ON EARTH, WHEN GUESTS ARRIVE ON OUR SHORES THEY BECOME FAMILY”, SAID KISHU GOMES, CHAIRMAN, SRI LANKA TOURISM groundwork is laid to A task force is in place and having worked diligently over the course of the last week we are confident that a clear and actionable process is in place, resources allocated and global expertise procured to support the industry in its recovery.

Sri Lanka Tourism will address the tourism community at the prestigious 5th UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism in San Sabastian, Spain from 1-2nd of May, where this year’s focus is on job creation and entrepreneurship as a means to advance tourism´s contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Sri Lanka Convention Bureau will also be present at IMEX in Frankfurt from the 21st to the 23rd of May. IMEX is a worldwide

Exhibition for Incentive Travel, Meetings and Events, incorporating Meetings made in Germany. The only tourism and travel fair in Sri Lanka, SancharakaUdawa, will be held on 7 and 8 June. This unique exhibition, now in its ninth edition is open to all businesses within the local tourism ecosystem and is organized by Sri Lanka Association of Tour Operators (SLAITO) in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB).The main objective of the exhibition is to create a platform for small and medium service providers in the industry to network and build vital links with tour operators and enter the wider tourism industry.

May 2019 Tourism India

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N E W S / I N T E R NAT I O NA L AWA R D S

WTTC ANNOUNCED WINNERS OF 2019

TOURISM FOR TOMORROW AWARDS THE AWARDS CEREMONY TOOK PLACE DURING THE WTTC GLOBAL SUMMIT IN SEVILLE, SPAIN

T

he World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has announced the leaders in sustainable tourism at the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards 2019 ceremony. The Awards ceremony took place during the WTTC Global Summit in Seville, Spain, to celebrate inspirational, worldchanging tourism initiatives from around the globe. The 2019 WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Award Winners are highly commended and recognised for business practices of the highest standards that balance the needs of ‘people, planet and profits’ within the Travel & Tourism sector. The Winners promote inclusive growth and illustrate a strong commitment to supporting change and transformation in business practices and consumer behaviour towards a more environmentally conscious sector.

The Winners of the 2019 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards are: • Climate

Action Award – Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, Aruba • Investing in People Award – Lemon Tree Hotels Limited, India • Destination Stewardship Award – St. Kitts Sustainable Destination Council, St. Kitts and Nevis • Social Impact Award – Awamaki, Peru • Changemakers Award – SEE Turtles, USA The Awards are judged by a panel of independent experts, led

by Prof. Graham Miller, Executive Dean, Professor of Sustainability in Business, University of Surrey. The panel included academics, business leaders, NGO and governmental representatives who narrowed down the list of 183 applications to just fifteen finalists. The three-stage judging process included a thorough review of all applications, followed by on-site evaluations of the Finalists and their initiative. The Winner of each category was determined by the WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Awards

Winners of WTTC tourism for tomorrow awards 2019 during the WTTC global summit in seville, spain

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Tourism India May 2019

2019 Winners’ Selection Committee, chaired by Fiona Jeffery OBE, Founder & Chairman, Just a Drop, and composed of Wolfgang M. Neumann, Non-Executive Director and Strategic Advisory, Global Hospitality, Travel & Tourism Sector; John Spengler, Akira Yamaguchi Professor of Environmental Health and Human Habitation, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; and Louise Twining-Ward, Senior Private Sector Specialist, Global Tourism Team, World Bank. WTTC represents the global private sector of Travel & Tourism. Its Global Summit is the most important event in the sector worldwide each year.

Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, WTTC, commented: ‘The finalists in this year’s Tourism for Tomorrow Awards showcase the many ways in which our industry is dedicated to sustainable growth. In 2018, the Travel & Tourism sector contributed 10.4% of

global GDP and supported 319 million jobs across the world. It is therefore essential that we continue to grow in the most sustainable and responsible way possible. The new award categories for this year are aligned with WTTC strategic priorities and illustrate that all members of this industry play a key role in driving the sector forward to a more responsible future. I congratulate them all on their fantastic accomplishments and leadership.’

Fiona Jeffery, OBE, Chair, WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, said: ‘The aim of the WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Awards is to showcase some of the most exceptional examples of sustainable tourism practices in the world, and inspire and encourage our industry to make a positive impact for both current and future generations.

Over 15 years, we have seen the industry make great strides towards achieving these goals and we can see positive change happening. Our recent survey results show that 67% of travellers would consider a travel company’s sustainability agenda when booking a trip, whilst 48% of travellers would now pay more money to travel sustainably. Whilst there is still more to be done, we must harness the momentum for change to protect the product that sustains our very own industry.

’ Jeff Rutledge, President and CEO, AIG Travel, Headline Sponsor of the Awards, stated: ‘From socially-inclusive employment initiatives to establishing one of the first rewilding projects in the Philippines, this year’s WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Awards finalists have proved to be an incredibly diverse group of changemakers from around the world. They have demonstrated

2019 WINNERS PROMOTE INCLUSIVE GROWTH AND ILLUSTRATE A STRONG COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING CHANGE AND TRANSFORMATION IN BUSINESS PRACTICES AND CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR TOWARDS A MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS SECTOR. that, regardless of the size or purpose of business, all members of the Travel & Tourism industry can afford to make sustainability a priority, and become part of our collective journey towards a greener future.’ Chantal Khoueiry, Chief Culture Officer, The Bicester Village Shopping Collection and Founder of Social Enterprise

‘Brides do Good’ added: ‘Social impact is not a choice, it affects each and everyone of us both in our personal lives and through our businesses. The combination of small things done with great love can become great things with a sustained impact for generations to come. We have the power to transform intentions into actions. Let’s stop intending. Let’s start doing!’

Climate Action Award, for organisations undertaking significant and measurable work to reduce the scale and impact of climate change: • WINNER: Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, Aruba • FINALIST: The Brando, Tetiaroa Private Island, French Polynesia • FINALIST: Tourism Holdings Limited, New Zealand Investing in People Award, for organisations demonstrating leadership in becoming an exciting, attractive, and equitable employer in the sector: • WINNER: Lemon Tree Hotels Limited, India • FINALIST: Reserva do Ibitipoca, Brazil • FINALIST: Shanga

by Elewana Collection, Tanzania Destination Stewardship Award, for organisations helping a place to thrive and bring forward its unique identity for the benefit of its residents and tourists: • WINNER: St. Kitts Sustainable Destination Council, St. Kitts and Nevis • FINALIST: Grupo Rio da Prata, Jardim and Bonito, Brazil • FINALIST: Masungi Georeserve, Philippines Social Impact Award, for organisations working to improve the people and places where they operate: • WINNER: Awamaki, Peru • FINALIST: Intrepid Group, Australia • FINALIST: Nikoi Island, Indonesia Changemakers Award, this year focused on organisations fighting the illegal wildlife trade through sustainable tourism: • WINNER: SEE Turtles, USA • FINALIST: Kelompok Peduli Lingkungan Belitung (KPLB), Indonesia • FINALIST: The Cardamom Tented Camp, Cambodia

May 2019 Tourism India

13

NEWS / ADVENTURE

BIS FOR QUALITY SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT IN ADVENTURE TOURISM BUREAU OF INDIAN STANDARDS WILL ASSOCIATE WITH ATOAI, TOURISM INDIA & KITTS FOR STANDARDISATION

B

ureau of Indian Standards (BIS) the National Standards Body of India engaged in Standardization activity in various fields’ will joints hands with Adventure Tour Operators Association of India, Kerala Institute of Travel & Tourism Management (KITTS) Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society (KATPS) and Tourism India in the field Adventure Tourism safety and security guidelines.

As a part of this, a statelevel Workshop for the Adventure Tourism Stakeholders was organized

by KAPTS and Tourism India at UdayacSamudra Leisure Beach Hotel Kovalam in May 2019. BIS has decided to launch a new certification scheme on Adventure Tourism - Safety

management Systems against the above standard and Kerala will be the first state in India to implement this certification. This will help the Kerala Tourism industry in demonstrating compliance to standards thus increasing consumer confidence and safety of visiting tourists. It is perceived that BIS certification would also ensure compliance with Government regulations/guidelines.

All adventure activities involve inherent risk of harm and providers have to manage those risks. The degree of risk varies among activities and locations. It is important that adventure activity providers take necessary steps to manage the risks and deliver adventure activities safely while keeping alive the sense

of adventure and excitement. The consequences of not doing so can be catastrophic. To promote a more systematic approach to managing safety in adventure tourism, BIS has published IS 16311/ISO 21101:2014 Adventure tourism — Safety management systems-Requirements.

The Standard sets out the requirements for a safety management system (SMS) that can be used by all types and sizes of providers, operating in different geographic, cultural and social environments Kerala Tourism has already conducted a state level industry brainstorming workshop to implement safety and security measures in the Adventure and Activity segments in the state and the draft guideline is already

Mr. Kadakampally Surendran, Minister for Tourism, Kerala inauguratoing the workshop by lighting the traditional lamp in the presence of Mr. Varghese Joy, Deputy Director-General, BIS, Mr. Ravisankar, Managing Editor, Tourism India, Mrs. Surina Rajan IAS, Director General of Bureau of Indian Standards, Mrs.Rani George IAS, Secretary,Kerala Tourism, Mr. Sanjeev Kumar, President, Accredited Tour Operators of India, Mr. C.S. Vinod, President, Association of Tourism Trade Organization of India and Mr. Manesh Bhaskar, CEO of Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society

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Tourism India May 2019

Mr. P. Bala Kiran IAS, Director of Kerala Tourism, Mr. Pradeep Murthy, National Executive Council member of Adventure Tour Operators of India, Mr. Sanjay Vij, Head of Kerala & Tamil Nadu BIS, Mr. Rupesh Kumar, State Coordinator, Kerala Responsible Tourism Mission with delegates

prepared. The final safety and security guidelines are all set to bring out along with a proper plan and strategy to develop, Adventure and Activity (AA) based Tourism products with new benchmarks in quality, traditional and modern adventure and activities, resource map for the AA in Kerala, stringent guidelines for the license, etc.

While addressing the stakeholders of Adventure tourism sector in Kerala, Mr. Kadakampally Surendran, Minister for Tourism, Kerala, said “The State Tourism Policy 2017, have already highlighted the importance of adventure and activity-based tourism for the growth of tourism in a big way.

The change in strategy is aimed at attracting more New Gen visitors and adrenaline seekers to the state.

Mrs. Surina Rajan IAS, Director General of Bureau of Indian Standards, Government of India said, “ The Kerala Tourism along with Indian tourism industry has emerged as one of the key drivers of growth and a significant employment generator among the services sector in India.

In recent times, Adventure Tourism has been increasing steadily with Kerala and other parts of India, especially offering exciting adventure activities in some beautiful locations in Kerala- God’s Own Country. Many

of these adventure activities including Mountain Bike Challenges, Bamboo rafting and trekking are offered to international and domestic visitors by professionally managed adventure tour operators of Kerala.

The first time the state is set to roll out its own set of guidelines in the adventure and activity-based tourism sector after consultation with various stakeholders including various government departments such as Forest, Police, Fire & Safety, Ports, Minor irrigation, Health, and Sports & Youth Affairs. Kerala Tourism department is expecting to bring out a solid vision document in the field of adventure and activity based tourism development in Kerala. The quality standards implementation with the support of Bureau of Indian Standards will give more boost to these segments and give better outreach among trade, said Kerala Tourism Secretary, Mrs. Rani George.

According to Mr. P. Bala Kiran IAS, Director of Kerala Tourism, “Implementing strict safety and security standards for adventure and activities in the state tourism sector is the need of the hour. If an accident occurs in the state due to negligence from the providers or facilitators would earn a black mark for the entire state’s

tourism sector. By implementing the Safety & Security guidelines, Kerala Tourism is also expecting to instil confidence among tourists and also attract established and genuine players in Adventure and Activity-based tourism segment” Mr. Sanjeev Kumar, President, Accredited Tour Operators of India, Mr. C.S. Vinod, President, Association of Tourism Trade Organization of India, Mr. Ravisankar, Managing Editor, Tourism India, and Mr. Varghese Joy, Deputy Director-General, BIS have also attended the inaugural session.

Mr. Pradeep Murthy, National Executive Council member of Adventure Tour Operators of India has lead with Safety and security procedures in the adventure tourism activities and Mr. Sanjay Vij, Head of Kerala & Tamil Nadu BIS explained the BIS certification formalities. Mr. Manesh Bhaskar, CEO of Kerala Adventure Tourism Promotion Society has presented the current scenario and future plans of the Adventure Tourism sector in the state. Dr. Rajashree Ajith, Director KITTS moderated the technical session and more than 100 adventure tourism service providers and tour operators attended the workshop.

May 2019 Tourism India

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NEWS / TOURISM TRENDS

INDIAN TOURISM TO REACH

35 TRILLION BY 2029 TOURISM SECTOR TO CREATE 53 MILLION DIRECT AND INDIRECT EMPLOYMENT BY 2029

F

ICCI-Yes Bank Report titled ‘India Inbound Tourism: Unlocking the Opportunities’ highlights India as tourism powerhouse. As per the report the tourism sector has generated USD 247.3 billion (INR 16.91 trillion) in 2018, with a growth of 6.7% and accounting for 9.2% of the total economy. India as the 8th largest country in terms of contribution to travel and tourism GDP and the largest market in South Asia, Indian tourism sector is likely to grow at 6.7% per annum to reach INR 35 trillion with 9.6% of GD by 2029.

The report further highlights that the tourism sector generated 26.7 million jobs in 2018. By 2029, the sector is expected to provide employment to nearly 53 million people, directly and indirectly. Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) crossed 10 million in 2017 and the growth trend is expected to continue. Consumption by domestic tourists remains the key strength of the sector in India, much stronger than the global average. Growing disposable income, increase in new millennial tourists, new travel destinations as well as new themes of tourism will further propel the growth.

The systematic growth, maintenance and sustainable development of tourism destinations as well as focus on promoting the emerging avenues of tourism will be essential towards unlocking its true potential. The growth in Indian travel and tourism sector has largely been driven by 16

Tourism India May 2019

domestic tourists. Foreign tourists still account for a limited share as compared to some of the top-ranking countries. The government intends to achieve the ambitious target of 1% foreign tourist arrivals in world’s international tourist arrivals by 2020 and increase it to 2% by 2025.

Traditional and emerging themes of tourism, including Nature, Heritage & Cultural, Religious, Adventure, Medical & Wellness, MICE and Wedding, among others have been a key attraction for domestic and foreign tourists. Strong domestic demand and economic growth, price competitive offerings, infrastructure development, and emergence of new destinations and niche tourism products will continue to drive the growth of the industry in future.

The Government has also undertaken several initiatives such as rapid implementation of Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD schemes, E-Visa for citizens from 166 countries, Adventure Tourism Guidelines, among others. Furthermore, promotional activities such as Incredible India 2.0 campaign and India Tourism Mart 2018 have also immensely benefited the sector.

Going forward, there is a greater need for the Government and private sector to collaborate towards thematic development of the destinations, skilling of local communities and the conceptualization and implementation of developmental initiatives for the sector.

STRONG DOMESTIC DEMAND AND ECONOMIC GROWTH, PRICE COMPETITIVE OFFERINGS, INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT, AND EMERGENCE OF NEW DESTINATIONS AND NICHE TOURISM PRODUCTS WILL CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE GROWTH OF THE INDUSTRY IN FUTURE.

Tourism Competitiveness Index/ Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) Rankings for States/ UTs, Creation of National Tourism Authority & Advisory Council, Incentivize Private Sector Participation, Rationalizing GST for Hotels,Land Bank Repository, Greater Coordination at State Level,Upgrading Government-owned Infrastructure through Private Sector Participation Industry-oriented Skill Development,Supporting Small Enterprises, Leveraging Social Media to Boost Inbound Tourism, Technology Penetration in Tourism Sector, Combined VISA Option, Focus on Source Markets, Focus on North East India are the suggestions by FICCI-Yes Bank report to make India a Tourism Superpower.

NEWS / TOURISM TRENDS

RAJASTHAN CM UNVEILS YES BANK – FICCI REPORT ON INBOUND TOURISM HON’BLE CM OF RAJASTHAN, MS.VASUNDHARA RAJE UNVEILED REPORT TITLED ‘INBOUND TOURISM – DECODING STRATEGIES FOR NEXT STAGE OF GROWTH’.

Y

ES BANK partnered FICCI for The Great Indian Travel Bazaar’18 held in Jaipur on April 22-24, 2018. The event witnessed the release of YES BANK – FICCI joint report on Inbound Tourism titled, ‘Inbound Tourism – Decoding Strategies for Next Stage of Growth’ which outlines policy interventions to accelerate the next phase of inbound tourism growth in India, with focus on key current policy initiatives by leading states. The report was released

by Chief Minister of Rajasthan Ms. Vasundhara Raje in the presence of Ms. Rashmi Verma, Secretary – Tourism, Government of India, Mr. N C Goel, Chief Secretary, Government of Rajasthan and Dr. Subodh Agarwal, Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Rajasthan.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rana Kapoor, MD & CEO, YES BANK and Chairman, YES Global Institute said “Tourism sector has enormous potential to lead the socio-economic transformation of ‘New India’.

Primarily driven by traditional avenues of Tourism, the sector has witnessed exponential growth in niche sub sectors such as MICE, medical and wellness, adventure, sports, amongst others. Further, leveraging technology for a robust digital ecosystem will transform India into a ‘Smart Tourism’ destination. I am confident that the YES BANK – FICCI Knowledge Report will be a great value-addition for all stakeholders and promote meaningful

dialogue towards boosting inbound tourism in India.”

YES BANK continues to work closely with Union & State Governments, while actively engaging with stakeholders in the Tourism valuechain. YES BANK is the first bank to win the prestigious National Tourism Award, instituted by Ministry of Tourism, for its unique ‘Edge of India’ initiative. A pioneer of Knowledge Banking, YES BANK also collaborated

with the Ministry of Tourism at their marquee initiative - Incredible India Tourism Investors’ Summit, 2016.

The Great Indian Travel Bazaar is the annual flagship B2B event of FICCI and brings together International buyers and Indian sellers in the Tourism value chain towards promoting Indian tourism destinations and putting India on the itineraries of the foreign tourists.

May 2019 Tourism India

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NEWS / TOURISM TRENDS

GROWTH AND SUSTAINABILITY NEEDS EQUAL IMPORTANCE THEMED ‘SUSTAINABLE TOURISM MANAGEMENT AT WORLD HERITAGE SITES’

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ight edition of India Heritage Tourism Conclave themed as ‘Sustainable Tourism Management at World Heritage Sites’ was organized by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) with the support of Ministry of Tourism, Government of India at WelcomHotel The Savoy, Mussoorie.

Inaugurating the Conclave, Dr. Sanjeev Chopra IAS, Director, Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, said, “A country as diverse as India is symbolized by the plurality of its culture and heritage. Heritage tourism in India is a real treasure as there are numerous cultural, historical and natural resources. There are immense possibilities of heritage tourism in India. This type of event can prove to be a milestone for increasing the tourism business of the country.”

Mr. Chung Kwang Tien, Ambassador, Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre in India; Mr. Fleming

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Duarte, Ambassador, Embassy of Paraguay; mr. Dato Hidayat Abdul Hamid, High Commissioner, High Commission of Malaysia; Mr. Eleonora Dimitrova, Ambassador, Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria; and Mr. Jagdishwar Goburdhun, High Commissioner-Designate, Mauritius High Commission were also present at the programme and shared the heritage tourism potential of their respective countries.

PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry and its Knowledge PartnerAuctus Advisors have jointly released a Knowledge Report ‘Sustainable Heritage Tourism in India’. The report gives a holistic view on heritage tourism across the world and suggests that growth in Indian tourism and the sustainability dimension of tourism needs to be viewed with equal importance.

Mrs. Radha Bhatia, Chairperson – Tourism Committee, PHDCCI, said that the ancient past of India

HERITAGE TOURISM IN INDIA WITH 37 UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES AND NUMEROUS OTHER NATURAL SITES HAS IMMENSE POTENTIAL THAT NEED REPEAT VISITS TO COVER ALL OF THEM has ensured that the present and subsequent generations have abundant historical and cultural inheritance to be proud of. “The restoration efforts to safeguard valuable heritage assets at government’s end in association with various agencies and organizations are visible at places of historic significance but there are many places which still require immediate attention,” she said. Ms. Radha requested Dr. Sanjeev Chopra, Director Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, to consider adding a capsule to

MRS. RADHA BHATIA Chairperson Tourism Committee, PHDCCI

highlight the importance of this for the IAS probationers at the Academy, as they would be taking on roles that would be associated with different aspects of these efforts.

Mr.Kishore Kumar Kaya, CoChairman – Tourism Committee, PHDCCI welcomed all the dignitaries and expressed his desire to host more such programmes in future at WelcomHotel The Savoy, Mussoorie.

Mr. Ruskin Bond, Leading Indian Author; Mr.Bill Aitken, Travel Writer and Mr. Dinraj Pratap Singh, Owner, Kasmanda Palace were felicitated during the programme.

While setting the theme of the Conclave, Mr.Rajan Sehgal, CoChairman – Tourism Committee, PHDCCI, said, “India’s World Heritage Tourism Sites have an added advantage for attracting international tourists.

Nearly 85% of all visitors to India visit one or the other heritage sites of the country in their course of the vacation. Tourism in India has shown a phenomenal growth in the past decade and is expected to emerge as the most important revenue earner for India in the years to come.”

Panel Discussion on ‘Creating a Sustainable Ecosystem for promotion of Heritage Tourism’ had Mr. Vinod

Zutshi (IAS Retd.), Former Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India as the moderator and witnessed Ms.Bhavna Saxena (IPS), Special Commissioner, Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board; Mr.Pronab Sarkar, President, Indian Association of Tour Operators; Dr. Lokesh Ohri, Convenor – Dehradun Chapter, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage;Mr. Anil Bhandari, Chairman, A B Smart Concepts; Mr.Ganesh Saili, Indian Author; Mr. Kulmeet Makkar, CEO, Producers Guild of India; Mr.Virendra Kalra, Chairman – Uttarakhand Chapter, PHDCCI; Mr.Sandeep Sahni, President, Hotels & Restaurants Association of Uttarakhand; Mr. Sumit Kumar Agarwal, Secretary General, Tribal India Chamber of Trade Agriculture and Commerce; and Mr.Manish Chheda, Managing Director, Auctus Advisors.

The panelists highlighted the need to have a clear vision and a welldefined execution plan with the goal of sustainable development that provides conservation and growth, clean air, water, energy and heritage at large. Technology, documentation, capacity building and regulation are the way to go for sustainable development of heritage tourism.

‘Adopt a Heritage Scheme’

by Ministry of Tourism and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is one of the best practices to showcase our monuments and drive sustainable growth. A Heritage Walk was also organized during the programme for all the delegates to enjoy the heritage of Mussoorie.

Mr.Yogesh Srivastav, Principal Director, PHDCCI, said that PHDCCI is committed to create such meaningful platforms to do its bit in enabling all the parameters of the tourism industry to grow and flourish further. The Conclave was attended by over 150 delegates.

INCREDIBLE INDIA | AIRLINES | INDIA OUTBOUND | ONLINE

INDIA’S April 2019, Vol 21, No. 12

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May 2019 Tourism India

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N E W S / T R AV E L

THOMAS COOK INDIA AND MASTERCARD PARTNER FOR ‘PRICELESS CITIES’ EXPERIENCE ONE-OF-A-KIND GLOBAL EXPERIENTIAL PROGRAM BY MASTERCARD.

OUTBOUND TRAVELLERS FROM INDIA GAIN FIRST TIME ACCESS TO HANDPICKED ‘PRICELESS’ EXPERIENCES IN THE WORLD’S GREATEST CITIES.

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apping into the evolving aspiration of Indian travellers, Mastercard and Thomas Cook India has announced their partnership to bring, for the first time, Mastercard’s global ‘Priceless Cities’ program for outbound travellers from India.

Offered for a period of six months starting May 2019, Thomas Cook India’s Forex cardholders (Borderless Prepaid Cards and One Currency Cards) will have the opportunity to utilize these unique benefits and create enriching experiences for themselves.

The initiative will allow travellers the opportunity to unlock hidden gems across more than 40 cities worldwide through the ‘Priceless Cities’ program.

All Thomas Cook prepaid cards in India exclusively enjoy Mastercard’s safe and secure payments network.

‘Priceless Cities’ is part of Priceless, a one-of-a-kind global experiential program by Mastercard. First 20

Tourism India May 2019

introduced in New York in 2011, the program celebrates the world’s greatest cities by connecting consumers’ passions to unique experiences, privileged access and attractive offers.

Cardholders will have access to box seats at bespoke events, cooking classes with Masterchefs, along with an array of other benefits to choose from. The program is designed to bring consumers closer to their passions — dining, sports, shopping, arts and entertainment, and travel — through one-of-a-kind experiences and exclusive access in more than 40 destinations around the world such as Paris, Rome, Abu Dhabi and Singapore.

Commenting on the launch, Mahesh Iyer, Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd. said, “We are delighted to partner with Mastercard to offer our Borderless and One Currency card customers, unique and inspirational

experiences across more than 40 cities worldwide. India’s new age travellers are showing an increasing appetite for exclusive experiences and hence the Priceless Cities portfolio, featuring falcon flying in Dubai, stay at Zaya Nurai, one of the world’s most beautiful islands in Abu Dhabi , or a gin masterclass in Singapore, finds strong appeal across our segments.”

Vikas Varma, Senior Vice President, Account Management, South Asia, Mastercard said, “Mastercard is passionate about creating memorable experiences for its cardholders.

Mastercard’s partnership with Thomas Cook will allow Indian outbound travellers to use their Thomas Cook travel prepaid cards for cashless shopping and enjoy unparalleled access to a suite of benefits and privileges worldwide.”

NEWS / TOURISM EVENTS

ITM RISHIKESH 2019 FOR PILGRIMAGE, WELLNESS & SPIRITUAL TOURISM 1st INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON RELIGIOUS, PILGRIMAGE, WELLNESS, SPIRITUAL TOURISM & WORLD YOGA DAY CELEBRATION IS SCHEDULED FROM JUNE 20th TILL JUNE 22nd 2019 AT GANGA RES AT RISHIKESH

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TM Rishikesh 2019 India’s first International Conference on Religious, Pilgrimage, Wellness, Spiritual Tourism & World Yoga Day Celebration is scheduled from June 20th till June 22nd 2019 at Ganga Resort, GMVN Rishikesh, Uttarakhand Spirituality is often mixed up with religion, with the words “spiritual” and “religion” often being used interchangeably. Spiritual tourism involves people traveling to places to find the meaning of life and attain inner peace through self-realization and personal transformation; they may or may not follow a particular religion or faith. Religious tourism, on the other hand, involves devotees travelling individually or in groups to undertake pilgrimages or to visit temples and other places of worship.

The three day exhibition & conclave will highlight Religious, Pilgrimage, Wellness and Spiritual Tourism across the globe, Focused sessions throughout the day, Structured, Organized, B2B meetings, Interaction with approx 200+ delegates from trade from PAN India, Yoga Sessions, Ganga Arti, and other interaction would be there.

According to Mr. Ajay Gupta, Chairman & Managing Director, ICM Group, “With the kind of stressful lives that we lead, a person tends to looks for refreshing holidays and unique travel destination. We have organized this exhibition & conclave on Religious, Pilgrimage, Wellness & Spiritual Tourism & World Yoga Day Celebration which will establish mutual relationship with Delegates/ Visitors as we are anticipated Tourism Professionals, State & International Tourism Boards/Departments, Tour Operators, Travel Agents, Trusts & Shrine Boards, Health Resorts, Ashram & Yoga Centre’s, Hotels, Resort & Spa, Motivational Speakers, Travel Guides, Online Travel Portals and professionals from other industries.. There is B2B Business Possibilities & Exchange of Business Ideas as all the niche products will be showcased under one crown.

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RCI GROWS ITS GLOBAL NETWORK 16 NEW AFFILIATES IN INDIA.

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CI, the global leader in vacation exchange as part of Wyndham Destinations (NYSE:WYND), continued its strong growth with the addition of 103 new properties to its affiliate exchange network during the second half of 2018. The new affiliations include resorts in India, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, Latin America, and North America. RCI added 16 resorts in India, including five resorts from Times Heaven Club across the country.

Commenting on the same, Miss Sabina Chopra- Managing Director 22

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RCI India said, ‘’Through these additions we continue to expand the choices we offer our 3.9 million members through our global exchange network. Over the past year, we’ve added some exceptional properties to the RCI exchange all over the world. In India, these 16 new affiliates significantly augment our presence and commitment to the country.

Our growing presence in India is a clear indication of the confidence our members and developers have in the concept of vacation ownership and the recognition of RCI as their preferred

partner of choice in delivering memorable experiences to all the RCI members around the globe.’’

Fiona Downing, Senior Vice President, RCI added, ‘’We’re committed to delivering the broadest set of vacation exchange options for our members. Last year, we added 172 new affiliated properties to the RCI portfolio, a 22 percent increase over 2017, which is why we continue to be the first choice as an exchange partner for affiliated resorts and a vacation partner for our members.”

THE LARGEST VACATION EXCHANGE NETWORK ADDED APPROXIMATELY 103 INTERNATIONAL PROPERTIES IN 2018 TO ITS GLOBAL NETWORK OF OVER 4,500 AFFILIATED RESORTS

New destinations for members in Asia include four resorts from Riverside Group in China, adding new and exciting destination vacation experiences for RCI members. Two of Riverside’s properties in Haiyan, Zhejiang – the PCVP Resort Six Flags Theme Park Haiyan and Wyndham Resort Six Flags Theme Park Haiyan – are situated within the internationally acclaimed Six Flags theme park that is currently under development.

Scheduled to open in late 2019, these integrated theme park resorts are designed with families with young children in mind and offers guests quality vacation time and fun with the family.

In Europe, RCI welcomed Karma resorts in Greece, France, and Italy.

Located in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, Karma Borgo di Colleoli is a sprawling historic manor house which has received a new lease on life as an elegant and luxurious 5-star rated resort. Tuscany’s top tourist destinations, including Pisa and Florence, are within easy driving distance.

The RCI Latin America region’s growth continues in several countries within the high end market with the inclusion of Grand Sirenis Punta Cana

as well as innovative products like Grand Luxxe Jungle at Riviera Maya.

The Registry Collection® program, RCI’s luxury exchange program, continued to grow with the addition of the Lanais at Mare from the St. Clair Collection in San Juan, bringing a new level to vacation ownership in Puerto Rico. Also joining the Collection is the Venezia Del Caribe Resort & Spa at Wyndham Grand Belize. This is the first 5-star luxury beachfront resort and spa on the island situated on pristine beachfront just north of San Pedro Town.

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N E W S / A D V E N T U R E T R AV E L

REV UP YOUR ADRENALINE FOR LADAKH! SOTC OFFERS AN ARRAY OF HIMALAYAN ADVENTURE TOURS NAMED ‘LADAKH BIKE EXTRAVAGANZA’

LADAKH, ONE OF THE MOST KEPT SECRET OF HIMALAYAS IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR THAT CURRENTLY EXTENDS FROM THE SIACHEN GLACIER IN THE KARAKORAM RANGE TO THE MAIN GREAT HIMALAYAS TO THE SOUTH, INHABITED BY PEOPLE OF INDO-ARYAN AND TIBETAN DESCENT

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t’s a dream road trip for every biking enthusiast –snow-clad mountains, rugged landscape, soaring peaks, dangerous routes, and roaring bike engines. In other words, going on a Ladakh bike tour is all about scenic vistas, an adrenaline rush and the undying spirit of a rider. SOTC now brings you the chance to go on the journey of a lifetime. Experience the formidable mountains, the world's highest passes and a magical landscape that changes every second with SOTC’s ‘Ladakh Bike Extravaganza’.

By the first week of May, the crucial Srinagar-Leh highway will open up for traffic leading to a flurry of tourism energy into Ladakh. In keeping with traveler’s myriad expectations, SOTC

has curated three special packages that cater to different budgets and requirements. If you have limited time at hand, then opt for the 7 days/6 nights trip from Leh to Pangong. At 14,270 feet, the azure beauty of the Pangong Lake looks like an artist’s fantasy. The journey will begin from Leh to cover Lamayuru, which houses one of the oldest monasteries in central Ladakh. In the next leg of the journey, travellers will ride through the Nubra Valley via Khardungla, the highest motorable road in the world to reach Pangonglake located in Changthang Plateau bordering Tibet. Packages start at INR 47,300 per adult.

If a week is all the time you have, then you can opt for the 8 days/7

nights package from Leh to Tso Moriri, which is priced at INR 60,800 per adult. Begin your journey at the Sham Valley in Ladakh and then traverse the Nubra Valley to reach Pangong. This tour additionally includes a visit to the Indian Astronomical Observatory, which contains the world's largest telescope at the highest altitude.

The location of the village and the observatory are highly sensitive due to its close proximity to the Tibetan / Chinese border. From there drive to Tso Moriri Lake by crossing the Nurpa Pass at 16,100 ft. Riders will return to Leh passing through the natural sulpur mines of Puga and crossing the Taklang La Pass, which is the world’s second highest motorable road at 17,585 ft.

For travellers willing to go the extra mile, SOTC has a 10 days/9 nights package that begins from Manali and culminates at Pangong. This package caters especially to the travellers looking for a relaxed, slow paced tour with ample scope of exploring the local culture at every pitstop.

Riders will start their journey from Manali to Keylong climbing over the Rohtang Pass at 3980 meters and cross several villages of Lahaul valley.

In these heights are hidden scenic spots like lake Chandra Tal, Suraj Tal and travelers will get to witness the

confluence of the Chandra and Bhaga rivers that later become the river Chenab on entering Kashmir. Riders will journey through Naki La and Lachang La to finally cross through the Tanglang La pass to reach Leh.

In the next leg of the journey, riders will travel to the Pangong Lake before finally returning back to Leh. This tour package is priced at INR 80,400 per adult.

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AMADEUS SET TO TRANSFORM THE AIRPORT PASSENGER EXPERIENCE AMADEUS HAS ACQUIRED ICM AIRPORT TECHNICS TO STRENGTHEN ITS PASSENGER AUTOMATION AND SELF-SERVICE BAG DROP SOLUTIONS FOR AIRPORTS AND AIRLINES

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madeus has agreed to acquire ICM Airport Technics, a global leader in passenger automation and self-service bag drop solutions for airports and airlines, for an undisclosed sum.

ICM, which is headquartered in Sydney, Australia, specialises in the provision of passenger automation and self-service bag drop solutions for customers principally in APAC and Europe. Since 2009, ICM has processed more than 75 million bags worldwide and is a global leader in providing airports with either retrofitted or replacement type Auto Bag Drop (ABD) units. ICM serves around 25 airports including some of the most 26

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important airports in the world. The company is also an early pioneer in biometrics for baggage processing.

Following this deal, Amadeus is now in a stronger position in this sector to drive future growth. Smart airports continue to invest in improving capacity and efficiency whilst increasingly wanting only to work with strategic providers that can offer all of the components they need in one place. To this end Amadeus’ airport customers will now be able to enhance and improve their existing services to passengers whilst continuing to ensure passenger safety and security.

Bruno Spada, Head of Airport IT at Amadeus says: “Often the passenger experience in airports is not a good one: long queues to check bags in and disparate services and technologies that do not always speak to each other.

In essence, airports are crying out for open self-service solutions to help take the friction and hassle out of the airport experience for passengers.

By combining Amadeus’ and ICM’s software and hardware capabilities, by accelerating and introducing more self-service options, and by using the power of biometrics, this deal announced today will ensure that together we can deliver better journeys for passengers in the future”.

Spada continues: ‘ICM is a fantastic company and will be a perfect cultural fit for Amadeus. We will bring ICM’s technical know-how and strong

COMBINED AMADEUS AND ICM OFFERING WILL SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE THE AIRPORT EXPERIENCE IN THE FACE OF RISING PASSENGER VOLUMES, INCREASING RESTRICTIONS ON SPACE AND CAPACITY, AND GROWING CONSUMER DEMANDS AROUND TECHNOLOGY customer focus to our expertise and product offering for airports.

Importantly, customers continually tell us they need a strategic end-toend solution in order to answer the evolving operational needs of the airport – they don’t want to have to work with multiple suppliers but rather single providers that can harness the best of the very latest technologies and who ultimately can ‘do it all’: this deal delivers just that.

I believe this deal will also accelerate our future innovation capabilities.

Combining ICM and Amadeus’ advanced technology expertise will provide an open platform for airport innovation and will act as a trampoline for growth for Amadeus and ICM in the coming years ahead”. Richard

Dinkelmann, CEO of ICM says: “By combining ICM’s market-leading self-service and passenger processing solutions with Amadeus’ global reach and complementary product offering, we are now in a unique position to offer even better technical solutions to our airline and airport customers.

We are excited about the future, as we share similar values such as strong innovation, reliability, and an uncompromising commitment to improving airport efficiency as well as passenger safety and security.”

Luis Maroto, President & CEO of Amadeus, says: “The acquisition of ICM is another important milestone for our Airport IT business, as well as for our diversification strategy. It will further increase our presence in a key

growth area for us, whilst bringing on board a new team, as well as a suite of products that reflect our drive for innovation. With this acquisition, we aim to simplify a range of complex processes for our airport customers.”

As part of the acquisition, approximately 150 ICM employees are expected to join Amadeus. ICM will become part of Amadeus’ Airport IT division, forming part of its Strategic Growth Businesses customer unit. ICM will retain a local presence close to its customers via offices in both Sydney and Melbourne.

Deal will mean Amadeus is able to design, configure, implement, operate and support all airport systems needed to manage passengers and their baggage from end-to-end.

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NEWS / PRODUCT LAUNCH

CARVAAN GO:

RETRO SONGS NOW ON THE GO 3000 RETRO SONGS IN 88GM

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ust how Carvaan reinstalled lean back listening experience for its users with pre-loaded songs and other features, Carvaan Go is aimed to rejoice the active and onthe-go life of music lovers who want to carry their evergreen classics with them but somewhere struggle find simpler ways to do it.

Carvaan Go with earphone as a primary use case is meant for more personal listening experience. Keeping this in mind, the product consciously has been designed to be very light weight, as low as 88 grams. Music on the go is often associated with mobile phone, Carvaan Go pushes this barrier and introduces an uninterrupted listening experience where there are no phone calls, or messages or a poor network to intrude your music experience.

This works as a great in-car music companion too where you can listen to your favorite retro songs curated by artistes and moods without any ad breaks. This device also lends itself as a wonderful travel partner for long flight or train journeys as there is absolutely no internet required to listen to the preloaded content. Whether you’re on your refreshing morning or evening walks, driving or flying, Carvaan Go will be your perfect partner simply

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CARVAAN GO COMES PRELOADED WITH 3000 EVERGREEN SONGS CATEGORIZED INTO ARTISTES, SPECIALS AND PRE CURATED PLAYLISTS, FM/AM AND A MICRO SD CARD SLOT FOR YOUR PERSONAL MUSIC.

offering you uninterrupted listening experience.

Carvaan Go comes preloaded with 3000 evergreen songs categorized into Artistes, Specials and pre curated Playlists, FM/AM and a micro SD card slot for your personal music. You can listen to the music through earphones, Aux out cable and Bluetooth. It is also

compatible with the Carvaan App which allows one to simply select the songs or playlists from the library of 3000 songs and play through Carvaan Go. It also supports a small in-built speaker for your night time bed side listening.

It has a rechargeable battery with 7 hours playtime.

N E W S / H O S P I TA L I T Y

GRAND HYATT KOCHI BOLGATTY HOSTS HYATT FAIR 2019 NETWORKING EVENT OF HYATT SALES FORCE AND KEY CLIENTS IN INDIA TO UNDERSTAND THE COMPANY AND TO INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER

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etworking of Hyatt Sales Force and key clients at Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty Kochi, April 17th, 2019: Hyatt Fair - a platform for representatives of Hyatt brands, corporates, meetings & event management companies, and luxury, lifestyle & leisure operators to understand the company and to interact with each other – recently took place at the Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty.

Bengaluru topped off with a true Kerala experience in and around Grand Hyatt Kochi Bolgatty helps us to differentiate, create and foster those relationships.”

“We had a very productive week engaging with our clients across multiple segments and were able to reaffirm Hyatt’s philosophy of ‘One Team–One Vision’. We thank all our customers and partners for reposing faith in ‘Hyatt’ through their time in 3 cities; then turning up in large

Eight Hyatt hotel brands were brought together with the Hyatt loyalty programme, World of Hyatt at the core of it. Kicked off with 3 days of dedicated client meetings across DelhiNCR, Mumbai and Bengaluru, the 14th Hyatt Fair India was a great success.

Speaking on the Hyatt Fair, Evert Schuele, Vice President-Sales, Europe, Africa, Middle East, South West Asia said, “The growth of India and Hyatt in India means a rising opportunity for building relationships with important partner. Hyatt Fair 2019, with the focus on World of Hyatt, our platform for loyalty and experiences, and visiting customers in Delhi NCR, Mumbai and

numbers for our experiential event in Kochi and closing/initiating business leads across 8 brands under Hyatt portfolio.” said Vikas Choudery, Director, India – Hyatt Sales Force.

The immersive destination experiences offered as part of the event were the highlight. From the cruise on the backwaters of Vembanad Lake and the Arabian Sea on the first evening in Kochi, to the exclusive experience zone on the second day, followed by the participative snakeboat races and the Kerala-themed dinner, guests were left enthralled and excited to learn more about Hyatt hotels.

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N E W S / H O S P I TA L I T Y

FOUR SEASONS EMBASSY ONE A GARDEN OASIS IN INDIA’S HIGH TECH CAPITAL FOUR SEASONS HOTEL BENGALURU AT EMBASSY ONE WILL PROVIDE A PREFERRED ADDRESS FOR BOTH BUSINESS AND LEISURE TRAVELLERS, AND THE HIGHLY PERSONALIZED, ANTICIPATORY SERVICE THAT FOUR SEASONS IS KNOWN FOR.

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esigned to reflect a sense of its location, the Hotel’s design will merge nature and architecture in a homage to Bengaluru’s reputation as the Garden City. Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru at Embassy ONE will provide a preferred address for both business and leisure travellers, and the highly personalized, anticipatory service that Four Seasons is known for.

Set amid 5.6acres of landscaped gardens and water features including a (100 feet) outdoor pool, the Embassy ONE oasis mirrors the city’s unique combination of modern urban

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architecture dotted with calming parks and gardens.

Inside Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru, 191 rooms and 39 suites are light filled, with crisp lines and thoughtful details designed for today’s luxury traveller, whether in town for business, enjoying a romantic weekend getaway or bringing the whole family for a vacation. Highly recommended are the Garden Suites with a living and dining area opening onto a private terrace separated from the luxurious bedroom, generous bathroom and double closets.

All accommodations feature the fully customisable Four Seasons Bed with a choice of plush, signature mattress topper to ensure a good night’s rest.

Urban views of the lush tree tops across the city, emphasize the abounding greenery that Bengaluru is famed for.

Sipping, Savouring and Socialising at Four Seasons Led by Executive Chef Stephane Calvet the culinary team brings an international outlook to the table at

Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru. The dining experiences are diverse – At CURS , guests are welcomed into a design led indoor/outdoor restaurant as the drama unfolds with chefs on show at the numerous open kitchens.

At the lobby level, The Lobby Lounge and Terrace promises the city’s best afternoon tea, as well as the Four Seasons special blend of teas, coffees and light fare around the clock. The moist Travel Cakes are the highlight here along with scones made from

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N E W S / H O S P I TA L I T Y vanilla pods sourced from Kerala.

For the spirited connoisseur, lively conversation is paired with the world’s finest whiskies at The Collection every evening. There’s also the Pool Bar offering poolside tropical refreshments amid the Hotel’s green gardens.

Far & East literally tops the dining experience at Four Seasons from its modern space on the 21st floor, bringing together a melange of Chinese, Japanese and Thai cuisines, as well as classic dishes such as the expertly prepared Peking duck. Fancy a nightcap? Copitas offers late night cocktails, as well as sundowners and shared platters with a view on the 21st floor terrace for the after-work crowd.

Infuse Spa, a hideaway by the pool

Infuse Spa an uplifting hideaway tucked behind a cascading waterfall, features 11 treatment rooms where trained and intuitive therapists offer experiences ranging from massages to body scrubs, polishes and wraps.

Signature treatments created especially for Infuse Spa including the Coffee Scrub, which harness the rich powers of locally grown coffee from nearby Coorg; the sensual Candle Massage; the Flower at Four Seasons experience inspired by the Hotel’s green setting in the Garden City; and the heavenly On the Chocolate and Spice Trail, which is even more magical than it sounds.

Productive Meetings and Memorable Social Events

With 16,574 square feet of event spaces accommodating as many as 1,000 guests, Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru is ideally positioned for business functions ranging from executive board meetings through high impact product launches and multi-day conferences.

For weddings and other social events, the flexibility of the divisible Grand Ballroom open terrace with built-in chef’s kitchen and variety of

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smaller spaces all on one floor with direct access from the Hotel’s main entrance, suggest a world of creative inspirations for the most memorable occasions. Not to be missed: Formal and Instagrammable photo opportunities in the Butterfly Garden and on the Ribbon Lawn or even the Grand Staircase.

The expert catering and events teams at Four Seasons work hand in hand with event and wedding planners to ensure every detail is flawlessly executed.

“But it’s not all work and no play here in the Garden City,” notes Assistant Chef Concierge Rachita Bhargava, who is a member of Les Clefs d’Or India. “Bengaluru is very much at a crossroad of the old and new with modern architectural designs existing alongside the Bangalore Palace, Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace and Bangalore Fort. The city offers many opportunities for cultural exploration.”

As the world’s leading operator of luxury hotels, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts founded in 1960 currently manages 112 properties in 48 countries.

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N E W S / H O S P I TA L I T Y

IHG AND SAMHI ANNOUNCES 10 HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS HOTELS IN INDIA HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS HAVE 27 OPERATING HOTELS IN INDIA AND A ROBUST PIPELINE OF 33 HOTELS DUE TO OPEN IN NEXT 2-3 YEARS

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nter Continental Hotels Group (IHG) and SAMHI, India’s premier lodging real-estate company shared details of commercial success of their partnership following the launch of 10 Holiday Inn Express hotels in the country.

IHG started its journey with SAMHI In November 2017 by the signing of 14 hotels within their India hotel portfolio to renovate and rebrand to Holiday Inn Express on par with the global brand standards. September 2018 witnessed the launch of first rebranded Holiday Inn Express hotel in Gurgaon Sector 50. In the following next six months, total of 10 properties were launched across Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Nashik, Pune and Chennai.

Commenting on the success, Mr. Pascal Gauvin, Managing Director, IMEA, IHG shared, “We are pleased to announce that the newly launched hotels are currently trading at an ADR of INR 3254, and Holiday Inn Express Gurgaon Sector 50 which has been open for six months is operating at 21% above the forecasted RevPAR. These numbers are very encouraging and give us confidence in the continued success of the portfolio.”

Mr. Ashish Jakhanwala, Founder, MD& CEO, SAMHI added, “In terms of a partnership, IHG has trusted us 34

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SAMHI ANNOUNCES INR 100 CRORE INVESTMENT INTO RENOVATING 10 HOTELS TO DELIVER A BEST IN CLASS PRODUCT IN INDIA

with one of their most recognized brands and to operating the hotel to the highest brand standards, profitably.

Our end of the partnership was to deliver a truly best in class product that met the highest brand standards.�

All Holiday Inn Express hotels under IHG-SAMHI portfolio offer intelligent, design-led, contemporary rooms, providing an inviting and efficient environment to the guests. For seamless connectivity, the hotels offer free high-speed Internet in all rooms.

Guests staying at Holiday Inn Express can enjoy breakfast (included in the rate) with qualityoffering, to kickstart their day. IHG currently has 39 hotels operating across four brands in

India, including Inter continental Hotels and Resorts, Crown Plaza, Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express InterContinental Hotels and a strong pipeline of 39 hotels due to open in the next 2-3 years.

Hotels owned by SAMHI are operated under partnerships with Marriott, Starwood, Hyatt Hotels and IHG and currently it has 27 operating assets in the country growing to 29 hotels by end of 2019. SAMHI is distinguished in the Indian hospitality market for its Pan India spread, quality of hotels, brands, operating relationships, and a rapidly growing portfolio.

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UNLOCK SUMMER WITH A FUN FAMILY STAYCATION AT LE MERIDIEN GOA, CALANGUTE LE MERIDIEN GOA, CALANGUTE BECKONS TRAVELERS FOR A VACATION UNLIKE ANY OTHER.

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here is something particularly exciting about the idea of summer vacations. With schools on a break, you have a great opportunity to escape the mundane city life and spend some quality time with your family. Even during the sweltering summer, kids see this as a time for fun filled activities. Planning a summer vacation for the entire

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family can be difficult as not every destination can appeal to everyone’s liking.

This summer, Le Meridien Goa, Calangute beckons you for a vacation unlike any other. The property is all set to welcome you and your little ones to a host of fun filled activities as you explore Goa’s rich culinary and cultural heritage during your stay.

your kids entertained with three complimentary activities everyday while youenjoy some quality ‘me-time’.

So hurry up and head to Le Meridien Goa, Calangute for a fun family staycation to make the best memories together this summer. This offer will be valid for booking until 30th June, while the stay period is valid until 30th September, 2019.

Right from check-in to checkout,Le Meridien Goa, Calangute has customized their services to ensure kids have an engaging experience at the property. At check-in, kids are handed the Le Meridien Kids Passport which is a unique activity book that lets them scribble, doodle and play throughout their stay.

Fun continues with a variety of toys and puzzles set up in-rooms to keep them engaged at their convenience. Enjoy the outdoors – go beach combing and fort hopping or visit the emerging art scene in Goa to give your kids an immersive experience. If your idea of a vacation is laid-back then spend your time splashing about in the cool blue swimming pool sipping on refreshing fruity coolers Sounds exciting so far? Well, that’s not all. Le Meriden Goa, Calangute has a Family Kids Club that provides kids with an immersive free-play environment that sends them on a journey of fun and discovery. From organizing an exciting treasure hunt to an engaging session of art & craft, the Family Kids Club is sure to have May 2019 Tourism India

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THE RISE IN FANDOM TRAVEL KLOOK RELEASES THREE NEW GAME OF THRONES THEMED EXPERIENCES IN DUBROVNIK IN 2019.

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rom Harry Potter to K-Dramas, Klook invites die-hard fans to relive their on-screen fantasies and celebrates the Game of Thrones Final Season with three new Games of thrones.

The impact of pop culture on the travel sector continues to rise with Klook reporting a high triple-digit growth from India in page views of television and movie-inspired activities from February 2018 to February 2019.

In celebration of die-hard fandom travel, Klook offers some of the world’s most inspirational screen-lovers

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experiences and invites viewers to live a fantasy of their own: Klook releases three new Game of Thrones themed experiences in Dubrovnik in 2019 in time for the final season to hit screens in the region on the 14th April. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, it’s easy to see why the show’s creators gravitated towards Dubrovnik’s Old Town as its setting for King’s landing. With the upcoming season boasting a record-breaking USD$15 million budget per episode, the highly anticipated settings are expected to be more breathtaking than

ever. The culturally-rich medieval town hosts the show’s main plotline, the glory of the Iron Throne, and invites fans to relive some of the series most crucial moments, including Queen Cersei’s walk of atonement.

The new Game of Thrones Filming Locations Tour takes fans through the halls of the Lovrijenac Fortress, the Trsteno Arboretum and the Lokrum Island, while the new Cruise and Walking Tour allows travelers to embark on Daenerys Targaryen’s ship upon the Adriatic Sea with a Dragon Blood cocktail in hand. Last of the new tours, thrill-seekers can explore Dubrovnik’s less-frequented alleyways on the Legends Evening Walking Tour, led by an engaging tour guide with a wealth of local insights and secrets about the show Alternatively, a trip to Northern Ireland offers guests a unique opportunity to see that Grjótagjá Rift - the Lake Mývatn Hike and Bath Tour includes a visit to where Jon Snow took a faithful leap to break his celibacy on a romantic rendezvous with Ygritte.

The allure of Northern Ireland’s rich landscapes and the natural geothermal pools provide an insightful and relaxing experience.

Another popular movie series drawing hordes of fans to filming locations is the pop culture legend of Harry Potter. With The Harry Potter Walking Tour in London, Potter heads can step into iconic places such as Diagon Alley, Platform 9¾, and the Leaky Cauldron. Alternatively, the Warner Bros Studio Tour London - the Making of Harry Potter invites Harry Potter maniacs to feed their curiosities on a full day adventure and an in-depth look into the costumes and behind the ‘scenes of the movies’ production.

Fandom travel is a trend globally.

The popularity in Korean dramas has seen a positive pick up on locations featured in, including Minsok Korean Folk Village, Gwangmyeong Cave, and

KLOOK IS A WORLD LEADING TRAVEL ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES BOOKING PLATFORM FOR POPULAR ATTRACTIONS, TOURS, LOCAL TRANSPORTATION, BEST FOODS, AND UNIQUE EXPERIENCES.

Uiwang Rail Bike Day Trip from Seoul

by KTourStory, where wanderers can be amongst the glowing stars from scenes from Dae Jang Geum (or Jewel in the Palace), a Korean drama which follows a story about the first female physician of the Chosun Dynasty name Jang Geum; and My Love, about an unconventional union of long-lost lovers.

Anita Ngai, Klook’s Chief Revenue Officer says, “Shows with unique settings magnetize travelers and

inspire travel decisions. At Klook we have seen an increase in users searching for on-screen experiences and as travelers become more adventurous, we expect this demand to continue to grow. We’re delighted to be expanding our offerings catered to fandom travel and continuing to give Klook users seamless access to unique destinations and inspiring experiences.”

Founded in 2014, Klook is a world leading travel activities and services booking platform for popular attractions, tours, local transportation, best foods, and unique experiences.

Klook’s services are available in eight languages, supporting 41 currencies.

It has raised a total of US$300 million investment from world-renowned investors including Sequoia China, TCV, Matrix Partners, and Goldman Sachs. Klook empowers countless travelers to indulge in their wanderlust and spontaneity through over 80,000 offerings in more than 250 destinations.

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N E W S / H O S P I TA L I T Y

INDORE MARRIOTT HOTEL UNVEILS DIAMANTE CROWN OF INDORE DIAMANTE, THE HIGH ENERGY LOUNGE BAR WILL FEATURE WORLD-CLASS COCKTAILS BY SOUTH AFRICAN MIXOLOGIST, TRISTAN MONEY AND UNDER FOOD; THE HOTEL COVERS INTERNATIONAL, ASIAN AND INDIAN CUISINE.

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et ready for the miraculous party feel and the most glamorous night outs as Indore Marriott Hotel has unveiled its much-awaited high energy lounge bar Diamante on Saturday, 11th May 2019.

With the launch of Diamante, Indore Marriott Hotel is all set to change the game by introducing you to a new era of clubbing. ‘Diamante’ will feature world-class cocktails by South African Mixologist, Tristan Money and under food; the hotel covers International, Asian and Indian Cuisine.

Indore Marriott Hotel hosted a grand launch night ‘THE ROYAL SOIREE’ on Saturday 11th May 2019 to unveil Diamante - Crown of Indore. Diamante is a high-energy lounge bar with comfortable couch seating that will elevate your evening experience along with a warm and inviting setting for guests who enjoy new places and new experiences.

Mr. Devesh Rawat, General Manager, Indore Marriott Hotel said, “We are delighted to announce the opening of Diamante that aims to offer our

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guests the experience of party culture in a whole new different level. As it’s our mission to always look ahead to address the needs of our guests, Indore Marriott Hotel introduces an elevated dining experience that offers a diverse menu infused with International, Asian and Indian cuisine and world-class cocktails—all in a welcoming setting.

To ensure that it stayed true to what our guests expect of the brand while also creating something interesting enough to pull in new guests, Diamante is thoughtfully designed to deliver an unparalleled guest experience backed by comfort and great service.”

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For the party people of Indore, Indore Marriott Hotel brings the finest night outs in town. With Diamante, the guests can experience the highest standards of the allure and grandeur of the nightclubbing lifestyle. The menu is designed to offer a variety of flavorful, fresh items to satisfy every palate, combined with amazing cocktails, great music and the unique ambience that will make you groove along to the hip. With banging vibes, hypnotic atmosphere and infectious energy in the house, get hooked to the new rhythm of clubbing only at Diamante - Crown of Indore.

NEWS / CRUISE

GENTING CRUISE LINES RECEIVES SINGAPORE TOURISM AWARDS 2019 GENTING CRUISE LINES PROVIDES INNOVATIVE EXPERIENCES FOR GUESTS

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he ‘Breakthrough Contribution to Tourism’ award by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) recognizes Genting Cruise Lines’ exceptional contributions toward shaping Singapore’s cruise tourism industry and its landscape, making Singapore a leading cruise hub and destination in the region.

Genting Hong Kong’s cruise division, Genting Cruise Lines, pioneered cruising in Asia with its first cruise on Langkapuri Star Aquarius from Singapore in 1993, operating its fleet initially under Star Cruises.

Today, Genting Cruise Lines comprises of three leading cruise brands that include Star Cruises for the Asian contemporary market, Dream Cruises for the premium and luxury market in Asia and Crystal Cruises for the global ultra-luxury market.

“On behalf of Genting Cruise Lines, I would like to thank the Singapore

Tourism Board for this special award and recognition, as well as their continued support towards Genting Cruise Lines and the cruise industry.

Over the past 25 years, we are proud to have pioneered and supported Singapore’s development to become one of the premier cruise hubs in Asia, with the most number of international cruise passengers. Today, Dream Cruises is the only cruise line operating from Singapore on a year-round basis,” said Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Genting Hong Kong. “Together we look forward to the next 25 years as we bring nextgeneration, world-class cruise ships to make Singapore and ASEAN the largest and most dynamic cruise region in the world.”

Dream Cruises’ ships are the most spacious and luxurious vessels in Asia.

Deployed year-round in Singapore in 2017, Dream Cruises’ Genting Dream was designed for Asian source

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markets and was rated as one of the top 10 large resort ships in the world by the Berlitz Guide in 2018 and 2019.

The iconic Singapore lifestyle brand “Zouk” is also a feature on Dream Cruises as “Zouk at Sea”. “Genting Cruise Lines is a strong partner in Singapore’s aspirations to be a leading cruise destination, from pioneering Asia’s first Fly-Cruise service in Singapore to developing new sailings from Singapore to other ports in the region. The Breakthrough Contribution to Tourism award is our grateful acknowledgement of their efforts,

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and we shall continue to work closely together with Genting Cruise Lines to further enhance Singapore’s appeal as a cruise hub,” said STB’s Chief Executive Mr Keith Tan. Genting Cruise Lines provides innovative experiences for guests having developed a variety of brand new itineraries from Singapore. Since 2017, Genting Dream has launched 22 new journeys including a 3-night South East Asia Getaway visiting Penang and Phuket and 5-night Treasures of Indonesia cruise calling on Surabaya and North Bali along with a new 5-night Impressions of Vietnam voyage, visiting Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City, and 5-night Coastal Gems of Asia, visiting Kota Kinabalu and Palawan or Brunei in 2019.

The Singapore Tourism Awards celebrates and recognises individuals and organisations in the tourism sector for delivering outstanding experiences and demonstrating enterprise excellence. Organised by the Singapore

SINCE 2017, GENTING DREAM HAS LAUNCHED 22 NEW JOURNEYS INCLUDING A 3-NIGHT SOUTH EAST ASIA GETAWAY VISITING PENANG AND PHUKET AND 5-NIGHT TREASURES OF INDONESIA CRUISE CALLING ON SURABAYA AND NORTH BALI ALONG WITH A NEW 5-NIGHT IMPRESSIONS OF VIETNAM VOYAGE, VISITING NHA TRANG AND HO CHI MINH CITY, AND 5-NIGHT COASTAL GEMS OF ASIA, VISITING KOTA KINABALU AND PALAWAN OR BRUNEI IN 2019.

Tourism Board, these Awards seek to raise the Singapore tourism sector’s competitiveness by motivating organisations and individuals to create compelling experiences and adopt best practices. Awards are given out in five distinct categories including Experience Excellence (Leisure/MICE), Enterprise Excellence, Customer Service, Special Recognition and Top Awards.

DE S T I NAT ION / OU T B OU N D

LISBON

A MUST VISIT IN 2019 A WIDE VARIETY OF LAND SCAPES AND HERITAGE IS ALWAYS CLOSE BY

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isbon is Portugal’s capital and the hub of a multifaceted area that appeals to different tastes and senses.

Lisbon’s temperate climate, sunny weather, green space, lifestyle pace, history, culture, architecture, culinary reputation, as well as its comparably low cost of living and its status as a relatively uncrowded tourist destination, were some of the factors that went into Lisbon receiving this accolade.

In a city that has been influenced by many different far-off cultures over time, there is still a village feel in

each historic neighbourhood. Stroll through the Pombaline grid of streets in the Baixa district that opens on to the Tagus in Praça do Comércio, and then follow the river to discover some of the city’s most beautiful parts: the monumental area of Belém with its World Heritage monuments, the mediaeval quarters and the latest contemporary leisure spaces, such as the Parque das Nações.

If you continue to the mouth of the river, you’ll understand why we say that Lisbon is the centre of a vast resort. Along the coastal road you’ll find beaches and beach resorts that combine villas and hotels from the beginning of the 20th century with marinas, terraces and excellent golf

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courses. Further along the coast you’ll come across world-renowned surfing beaches, but also the palaces scattered across the cultural landscape of Sintra, a World Heritage Site.

The wide variety of landscapes and heritage is always close by, whether to the north or south of the capital. With beaches, natural parks, cultural routes and accommodation for all tastes, it is hard to escape the Lisbon region on a visit to Portugal.

Portugal was founded in 1143, making it one of the oldest nations in Europe. Portugal is named after its 2nd largest city, Porto. There are 22 UNESCO World Heritage classifications in Portugal; and each year more than 20 million tourists visit the country. With the longest bridge in Europe, Portugal is also a very popular destination from India for those looking for a Euro break and an extension to their Spain and Morocco itineraries. The total flight duration from Portugal to India is 10 hours, 42 minutes and India is 5:30 hours ahead of Portugal.

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NEWS / CRUISE

THE NEWLY REFURBISHED OCEANIA INSIGNIA SAILS TO THE SHORES OF INDIA OCEANIANEXT HERALDS THE NEXT CHAPTER OF THE OCEANIA CRUISES’ STORY

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ceania Cruises’ newly refurbished Insignia arrived in Mumbai after visiting Cochin, Mangalore and Goa in India as part of her 180 Day Around the World Cruise. The first ship to debut the dramatic new enhancements undertaken as part of the ambitious OceaniaNEXT initiative, Insignia guests will travel through the Pacific and Asia, as well as cruising through the Middle-East, Europe and American regions.

In addition to the sweeping array of dramatic enhancements, Oceania Cruises has chosen to elevate its guest experience to new levels through new dining experiences and reimagined menus, allowing

guests to savour The Finest Cuisine at SeaTM, as well as in-depth destination exploration.

In 2018, Oceania Cruises announced its OceaniaNEXT initiative,four 684-guest ships (Regatta, Insignia, Sirena, and Nautica) that will result in four better than new ships. Each will emerge from the re-inspiration process with 342 brand new designer suites and staterooms, and stunning new décor in the restaurants, lounges and bars, inspired by the line’s 450 ports of call.

Insignia was the first to debut on 7th December 2018, followed

by Sirena in May 2019, Regatta in September 2019, and Nautica in June 2020.

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“OCEANIANEXT WILL BE THE MOST EXTENSIVE AND COMPREHENSIVE SUITE OF PRODUCT AND GUEST SERVICE ENHANCEMENTS THAT WE HAVE EVER UNDERTAKEN,” SAID BOB BINDER, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF OCEANIA CRUISES.

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“OceaniaNEXT will be the most extensive and comprehensive suite of product and guest service enhancements that we have ever undertaken,” said Bob Binder, President and CEO of Oceania Cruises.

“Our Regatta-Class ships are like second homes to our loyal guests and travel partners. They don’t build ships like these anymore, which is why this re-inspiration project is such an important milestone in our company’s 15-year history. We are maintaining the intimate surroundings and personal attention that our guests love, while at the same time setting a new standard of style and elegance for small ship cruising. We have opened a new chapter, innovating in every way as we look to the future and the way our guests want to travel.

At the helm of the dramatic refurbishment is Studio DADO, a Miami-based design and concept studio specializing in luxury residential and hospitality design.

With the line’s acclaimed Marina and Riviera as their muses, Regatta, Insignia, Nautica, and Sirena will feature richly appointed and stylish new interiors that showcase

the best of residential design.

Furnishings from Baker and Donghia along with fabrics from Rubelli and Kravet will adorn the public spaces, with new richly-hued custom-milled carpets lining the floors.

Effortless style in an elegant atmosphere will be the defining characteristics of the Reception Hall and Upper Hall. The crowning grand chandelier adorned with hanging pieces of smoked and hand-painted glass, will set the space aglow.

Oceania Cruises is the world’s leading culinary- and destinationfocused cruise line. The line’s six intimate and luxurious ships which carry only 684 or 1,250 guests offer an unrivalled vacation experience featuring the finest cuisine at sea and destination-rich itineraries that span the globe. Expertly crafted voyages aboard designer-inspired, intimate ships call on more than 450 ports across Europe, Alaska, Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, New EnglandCanada, Bermuda, the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Tahiti and the South Pacific and epic 180-day Around the World Voyages.

DE S T I NAT ION / OU T B OU N D

NEEL MOTWANI AND VINDHYA TIWARI CELEBRATE IN SHARJAH...

INDIAN CELEBRITY TV COUPLE ON SCREEN HAVE TRANSLATED THEIR REEL-CHEMISTRY INTO REAL LIFE.

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V serial Waaris is very popular among its genre of television soaps in India and its coactors and couple on screen have translated their reel-chemistry into real life as well! Neel Motwani and Vindhya Tiwari, are tying the knot this year and as a precursor to the grand

Indian wedding celebrations that will take place later this year, spent quality time with each other in Sharjah -- a glittering UAE emirate, that entices with a host of fascinating experiences.

The trip was a very special part of their lives as it was the first they took together and the special experience

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AMONG THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TRIP WAS THE COUPLES’ VISIT TO SHARJAH’S MOST BEAUTIFUL MOSQUE -THE AL NOOR MOSQUE.

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of cultural richness, fabulous food and the entire shopping experience -- is what the couple will remember for a lifetime. They both shared their experiences on their social media handles letting their millions of fans know about their “Yash Raj” moments in Sharjah.

Among the highlights of the trip was the couples’ visit to Sharjah’s most beautiful mosque -- the Al Noor Mosque, with its cascade of domes and two soaring minarets that dominate the skyline of the Emirate. Al Noor Mosque welcomes non-Muslim visitors. Another favourite was the Rain Room at Sharjah Art Foundation

where the couple walked through a downpour of continuous rain without getting wet. Dune bashing at Mleiha and the Wasit Wetland Centre, which is known for its work in bird conservation, also impressed them.

Sharjah has come to epitomize holidays that are on every global standard whether in hospitality or the experiences offered. It has morphed into an emirate that lures travelers with its charm and genuine excellence.

When experienced with the added bonus of a unique cultural perspective, a visit to Sharjah stays with you, for a lifetime. Sharjah, once experienced, turns from enigmatic, to enchanting.

DE S T I NAT ION / OU T B OU N D

VISIT SKI DUBAI DURING DUBAI SUMMER SURPRISES! ONE OF THE EMIRATES’ MUST-SEE ATTRACTION DURING THE FESTIVAL IS UAE’S TOP VISITOR DESTINATIONS

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unning from 21 June - 03 August 2019, the Dubai Summer Surprises 2019 is a month-long festival of entertainment and shopping.

One of the emirates’ must-see during the festival is UAE’s top visitor destinations, Ski Dubai that has won plenty of awards since its opening in 2005. As one of the region’s best family-friendly attractions and lifestyle

brands, Ski Dubai has been named the world’s best indoor ski resort for 2016 and 2017.

At Ski Dubai’s Snow Park you can enjoy all the magic and fun of building your own snowman or just having fun in the snow! The 4,500-metre square Snow Park gives you the chance to go sledding and tobogganing or climb towers. You can also explore a beautiful indoor ice cave, and there

are many activities for children and adults. Not exciting enough for you?

Then join us in the Giant Ball run! You could jump a 10ft ramp or get an aerial view of Ski Dubai from the state-ofthe-art chairlift. Don’t forget to try our Mountain Thriller ride, an exciting ride which carries you 150m at speeds of up to 40kph!

You could also suspend yourself 16ft above the ground on the Snow

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DE S T I NAT ION / OU T B OU N D means you can boost your confidence on the slopes and improve your sporting abilities in a safe and fun environment.

To get the most from your experience, visit the exclusive Ski Dubai retail outlet, Snow Pro. You’ll find the store in the lobby area of Ski Dubai. Kit yourself out with the coolest and most advanced ski equipment on the market, with expert staff on hand to help you.

Prepare for an overload of cuteness from our resident penguins at Ski Dubai! Get up close and personal with these amazing birds. This is a rare chance to meet the incredible wildlife native to some of the most extreme habitats on earth and one of the most memorable and unique experiences imaginable!

A world-class indoor resort in one of the world’s most incredible cities, Ski Dubai is an attraction like no other. Whether you’re a skiing pro or an absolute beginner, pay us a visit to discover for yourselves what makes Ski Dubai so special!

Majid Al Futtaim is the leading shopping mall, communities, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Bullet ride. The dual indoor zip line gives thrill-seekers the ride of their lives as they race against friends above this snowy indoor landscape. A Ski Dubai penguin encounter will live long in the memories of children and adults alike. Take to the slopes and fly solo or join our incredible in-house Ski School! Here adults and children of all ages can get stuck in with coaching from top instructors, including one-to-one sessions.

We have five different tracks to choose from, of varying lengths and difficulty. That

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NEWS / APPOINTMENTS

JAYA KUMAR APPOINTED AS NEW VP& MD OF SABRE INDIA

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abre Strengthens Leadership in India with Strategic Appointment Sabre Corporation, the leading technology provider to the global travel industry, has appointed Jaya Kumar K as Vice President& Managing Director, for Sabre Global Development Center in Bangalore, reaffirming its commitment to transforming the future of travel and strengthening Sabre’s presence in India.

In his role, Jaya will be responsible for propelling the Centre’sinnovation capabilities, as well as attracting key talent to delivercutting-edge technology solutions.

Jaya comes to Sabre from Walmart, where he was Managing Director and Vice President, Global Technology Services, where he grew Walmart Labs India significantly, and established Centers of Excellences (CoE) for analytics across e-commerce and in-store technologies. Prior to that, Jaya also co-founded and built Neta, a pioneering data mining tool.

“As we continue to push the boundaries of technological innovation at all levels of the travel industry, we are pleased to have Jaya join the team to drive our development strategy forward, and ultimately, enable us tobetter serve our clients.The Global Development Centre in Bangalore is essential to our success,and I am

delighted to have Jaya onboard to spearheadSabre’s efforts in driving the industry toward next generation retailing, distribution and fulfillment,” said Louis Selincourt, Senior Vice President, Sabre Global Development Center Operations.

Speaking on his new role, Jaya Kumar K - Vice President & Managing Director, Global Development Center – Bangalore, said, “I am delighted to be a part of the team. I want the Bangalore Center to be known as a dynamic growth engine that provides holistic career opportunities for professionals. My focus will be to make this Center a hub of opportunity for talented individuals while keeping innovation and creativity at the core of our operations. I look forward to a long and successful journey with the organization.”

Established in 2005, the Global Development Center in Bangalore has been driving innovation for Sabre’sglobal customer base of over 425,000 travel agents, 350 airline partners, and 40,000 hotel properties. The team supports multiple technology functions, including product development, enterprise data and analytics and operations research efforts, while providing customer care and support, implementation and consulting services, and delivering leading products and solutions to Sabre customers globally.

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